Image via South Overton Farm |
Adopting dogs from the South began in earnest about a decade ago. Before that, New England had too many dogs and too few homes and local, overcrowded animal shelters euthanized a large percentage of their dogs. Cultural and legal changes have alleviated the dog population problem in this part of the country.
According to the Dakin Animal Shelter in Massachusetts, “Twenty years ago, nearly 6,000 puppies flooded the five MSPCA animal shelters throughout the state of Massachusetts. In 2004, only 400 puppies came in to those same shelters. Clearly, New Englanders have received the all-important message about not allowing their companion dogs to roam or breed.”
Rescue organizations cite a lack of emphasis on spaying and neutering in the southern states as a factor creating a much worse dog overpopulation problem there.